The beauty of a heart-driven business model lies in putting co-workers on center stage, as it grants them independence to realize their full potential. Steered by love and understanding that people are more productive in a serene atmosphere, heart-based leadership offers an empathy-based approach to leading businesses with genuineness.
On the 80th birthday of the spiritual leader (now 88), Goleman was asked to write a book unfolding the Dalai Lama’s “compassionate approach” to leadership even when facing seemingly intractable problems. Published in 2015, the book Force for Good: The Dalai Lama’s Vision for Our World offers a unique perspective on cognitive empathy that enables a leader to appreciate what the other person feels.
Not only do empathetic leaders lead by example in pressure cooker situations, they also have a knack for using emotional intelligence. This motivates their co-workers to think out of the box and revel in their creative side. The argument is backed by empirical research.
Gallup conducted an exhaustive research study of about 10,000 employees in which they were specifically asked what sort of leadership attracted them, why it matters, and how it brings the best out of them. Four leadership skills stood out: trust, compassion, stability, and hope. All these skills are at the core of heart-driven leadership.
In this pro-people approach, a leader places trust in co-workers, is compassionate, and offers stability and hope. In today’s Artificial Intelligence-driven age, a business model driven by heart is bound to achieve extraordinary success by changing peoples’ lives, for good.
It is a process; not an event. One needs inner peace, joy, and selflessness to rise above the ego. Compassion means paving the way for an environment in which the individual growth of co-workers contributes positively to team success.
In the fast-paced world consumed by ego, selfish desires, and hunger for more power, it is easy to lose sight of the essence of love. However, love helps one to stay modest and know that possession is no devotion. This powerful emotion offers direction and grants those around real freedom.
On the contrary, a business without a soul is merely a materialistic transaction that fails to leave a mark or legacy behind. It remains a profit-making endeavor only. One is tempted to ask how pragmatic it is to create a heart-driven business model when it is human nature to earn more and more profits. The answer lies in the 3 Es.
Ego
Many of us want our ego to be massaged, perhaps all the time. Ego is a dangerous speedbreaker on the highway to real accomplishment as a business entrepreneur. The most self-aware leaders are quick to recognize the signals of abuse of power. They don’t waste time in setting things right.
Self-awareness is also a process. One way to dial down the ego is to surround yourself with people who know more than you and won’t shy away from offering you honest feedback, including critical comments. Your trust in their integrity will hold the key. Such individuals keep you grounded by offering constructive criticism for your growth.
The ones who slam the doors shut for learning remain in the dark and won’t become self-aware to avoid egotistical thinking. The culture of self-congratulatory chatter would mean the absence of capacity in a leader to tolerate and respect dissenting views Read More
This article is referenced from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
Views: 2.3k
